Partnership formed in 1924

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32705, 7 September 1971, Page 13

Partnership formed in 1924

In February, 1924, Mr H. “Bert” Wooff and Mr E. T. “Ted” Salvesen combined their small electrical businesses, which were both in the same building, to form Wooff and Salvesen, Ltd, a firm which over the years has expanded to become one of the largest of its type in the South Island.

Situated at 609 Colombo Street, which up to recently was occupied by Butlers, Ltd, the new company specialised in electrical rewinds and magneto repairs. During the mid-1920s all cars had a magneto and Wooff and Salvesen, Ltd, was one of the few firms who undertook the specialised job of repairing them. This was the beginning of the automotive electrical repair side of the business for which the company was to become renowned in later years. Mr Wooff had specialised in direct current while his partner was more familiar with alternating current and because of this both were able to combine their individual talents.

In 1925 the company was appointed Lucas agents for the South Island and ever since the company Joseph Lucas, Ltd, established itself in New Zealand (Auckland) in 1938, Wooff and Salvesen have continued to distribute its products in the South Island.

The company moved from Colombo Street in 1930 to a site in Lichfield Street directely opposite to the premises they have recently vacated.

During the depression there were no reductions in staff, although the proprietors admitted to others later that they personally suffered a reduction in income over those difficult years.

In 1935 the company’s first apprentice, Mr J. J. Cockroft, moved to Timaru to open a branch there. Mr Cockroft, who married one of the company’s office girls, retired last year. At about this time the British car gained popularity in New Zealand and Wooff and Salvesen, Ltd, began to gain significance as dealers of electrical equipment and car accessories.

In 1937 a company, known as Wooff and Salvesen (Dunedin), Ltd, was formed in Dunedin and this too has progressed similarly to ’ the head office in Christchurch.

By the time World War II began the motor vehicle was an accepted part of life and an essential part of the company’s business. However, with petrol rationing during the war the number of motor vehicles on the road declined.

The war also meant that very little new equipment was being brought into New Zealand so that more repairs were necessary to keep the older machinery in working condition. Because of this Wooff and Salvesen were able to expand their electrical engineering department. Generators, alternators, transformer and switchgear formed a large part of the electrical repair work then, as it still does today. Very little house wiring was ever done by the company.

Shortly after the war (he company was appointed Canterbury agents for Weld Well (N.Z.), Ltd, and G. R. Young and Company (N.Z.), Ltd, two major suppliers of equipment to the welding industry. This has been a very important part of the business.

In 1947 an electrical wholesale department was formed and this has grown over the years. Today the company is an important supplier of equipment to the electrical trade in Canterbury.

The company moved across the road in 1949, to the premises formerly occupied by Taylors, Ltd. A section adjacent to the new Lichfield Street site was purchased and a building was erected on it in 1959. However a fire on Guy Fawkes Day in 1967 damaged a section of the building and this hastened the planning of the new St Asaph Street drive-in sales and service centre.

Wooff and Salvesen, l td, was made a public company in 1952 and the founders Messrs Wooff and Salvesen continued to be joint general managers until they retired in 1966.

Mr Wooff died in ■ July, 1968 but Mr Salvesen is still alive and on the board of directors. He makes a weekly visit to the company’s premises.

Besides its founders the company had several other well known identities. These included Mr A. C. Perkins and Mr J. N. Okey.

Mr Perkins joined Mr Wooff in 1920 as an office boy and later became secretary of Wooff and Salvesen, Ltd. He retired in 1969.

Mr Okey joined the company in 1924 and remained, as an engineer, until 1969. He was an associate director.